Prior to each UFC card, Jay Primetown takes a close look at debuting fighters. In the latest installment, we look at French heavyweight Cyril Asker as he takes on American Jared Cannonier at Fight Night 86 in Zagreb, Croatia. Cyril “Silverback” Asker Hometown: Avignon, France Age: 30 Height: 6’2” Reach: Weight Class: Heavyweight Camp: Bushido Academie Career Record: 7-1 Key Wins: Ruan Potts Key Losses: None Background The former EFC Africa Heavyweight Champion has only been competing professionally for four years. Asker holds a BJJ purple belt with five of his seven wins coming by finish. Strengths
- Decent boxing fundamentals
- Above average offensive wrestler
- Times takedowns well
Weaknesses
- Undersized heavyweight
- Lacks volume in his strikes
- Poor head movement
- Doesn’t fight well against aggressive opponents
- Moves forward without moving his head
- Can be pushed against the cage
- Had problems with poor competition
Match-up against Jared Cannonier Cyril Asker will have the odds against him in his UFC debut against American Jared Cannonier. Asker holds a wrestling advantage in this bout, but will struggle against the much better striker. Asker does a poor job moving his head and I expect Cannonier to take advantage by teeing off against his French opponent. Once Asker gets hit, he stops moving and Cannonier will have ample opportunities to finish the fight. Cannonier is too good of an athlete to be taken down repeatedly in this fight where Asker would have the advantage. I expect Cannonier to control the striking from start to finish in this fight scoring a knockout finish midway through the first round. UFC Ceiling The UFC has begun raiding EFA in South Africa as it continues to expand its global footprint. Unfortunately success in the UFC has come few and far between for veterans of the EFA promotion. While they have looked good against inferior competition in EFA, they have looked out of depth in the UFC. Asker is another example of this. He’s an undersized heavyweight that simply isn’t a good enough athlete or wrestler to control opponents on the ground. His stand up is even worse than his grappling game. It’s difficult to see Asker having much success in the UFC. The more likely result will be his opponents scoring highlight reel wins over him. Fight Film Check out Cyril Asker in some of his most recent fights: Cyril Asker vs. Ricky Mishola Cyril Asker vs. Juha Saarinen
